RAWALPINDI – South Africa's spinners delivered a masterclass in Rawalpindi, led by a career-best six-wicket haul from Simon Harmer, to secure an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Pakistan and level the two-match Test series 1-1. The win marked the Proteas' first Test victory on Pakistani soil in 18 years.
Resuming day four at 94 for 4 with a slim 23-run lead, Pakistan's batting order crumbled, adding only 44 runs before being dismissed for 138. Off-spinner Harmer was the architect of their collapse, claiming the crucial wickets of overnight batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan within his first three overs of the morning.
Pakistan's hopes had rested on Azam, who reached his 30th Test half-century before being trapped leg-before by a sharp-turning Harmer delivery. Harmer, who also passed the milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets in the process, finished with figures of 6 for 50. Keshav Maharaj also chipped in with two more wickets, adding to his seven-wicket haul in the first innings, to ensure Pakistan's tail was wrapped up swiftly.
The Proteas, the reigning World Test Champions, showed immense character to bounce back from their 93-run defeat in the first Test in Lahore. Their first-innings recovery proved pivotal, with a defiant ninth-wicket partnership of 98 between Senuran Muthusamy (89) and Kagiso Rabada (71) rescuing them from 235 for 8 and ultimately securing a valuable 71-run lead.
Chasing a modest target of 68 runs, South Africa cruised to victory in just 12.3 overs. Captain Aiden Markram led the charge with a brisk 42, before Ryan Rickelton sealed the win with a six just before lunch.
The result means the series ends in a 1-1 draw, with the Proteas heading home with a massive confidence boost and crucial World Test Championship points.
